In last year’s world premiere of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical at Manchester Opera House, Cyrus Campbell played Young Kyle Grandy (Andrew Berlin), a new character brought in for the musical production, which is an adaptation of the 2004 film of the same name, with Cyrus being directed by Andy Fickman and working alongside a cast including Lucie Jones and David Hunter. Cyrus had his first audition for a professional musical for Oliver!, which he went on to book as Ensemble at Leeds Playhouse in 2023/24, marking his professional theatre debut, and he has been part of a new project workshop earlier this year, which is currently under wraps. Also having screen experience, Cyrus has filmed for the 2027 feature film The Great Beyond, which is directed, written and co-producer by J. J. Abrams, and early in his career, he filmed an EE commercial. This year, Cyrus was a finalist at West End Calling, and he trains at Stagebox, and during his time there so far, he has performed at Schwartz at 75 at the West End’s Lyric Theatre, and since the age of 11, he has been represented by Stagebox Management and has had numerous self-tapes and recalls. We talked to Cyrus about playing Young Kyle Grandy in 13 Going on 30 – The Musical, being in the Ensemble of Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse in 2023/24, making the finals of this year’s West End Calling and being part of Stagebox Management and training.

Last year, you played Young Kyle Grandy (Andrew Berlin) in the world premiere of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical at Manchester Opera House; what was it like playing a new character created for the musical and seeing the audience response to the show and Kyle?

When I heard 13 Going on 30 – The Musical was coming to Manchester, I was keeping everything crossed that I would get to audition. I knew it was going to be big with Andy Fickman directing and Lucie Jones playing Jenna, so getting the role was a huge deal for me!

When the TikTok video went out of the rehearsal sneak peak, I don’t think any of us realised it was going to go viral, so the build-up to actually bringing it to the stage was so exciting! I feel so lucky to have been part of something that so many people really got into and enjoyed following along with online, as well as at the theatre. And I’m proud to say I was one of the first Young Kyles!

How was it reading the script to the musical adaptation and meeting your fellow cast members for the first time (both adult and young cast)?

It was quite a thorough casting process, so I got to know the young cast early on, and had worked with some of them before. But meeting the adult cast for the first time, being in the room with actors and creatives that I look up to, that first day and first full read-through really hit home that this was real and actually happening!

What are some of your stand-out memories from the run, and how was it having the musical be directed by Andy Fickman?

Andy made it the best experience. The atmosphere he created for us to really get to know the characters and the story, we knew we had to work hard, but he also made it so fun!

The stand-out memory has to be performing Wannabe on press night. A full theatre, and the atmosphere backstage and on stage was electric. It was definitely a moment I will never forget!

For your first musical theatre contract, you were in the Ensemble of Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse from 2023 to 2024; what was it like booking the role for your professional theatre debut, and what do you remember from your first performance in the show?

Auditioning for Oliver! was my first audition for a professional musical, so I wasn’t expecting too much. I realised I was in the room with kids who I had recently watched in other musicals! When I found out I got the part, I was so happy, but I don’t think I even realised at that moment what an experience I was about to be part of!

I remember the first standing ovation from the audience. As it was ‘in the round’, it was the best feeling, and I knew then that this was what I wanted to keep doing. I also remember from that first performance that one of the bowls in Food, Glorious Food went flying across the table and bopped me on the head by accident, but hopefully no one noticed that part!

How was it learning the music and choreography for Oliver!, and did you have a favourite part of the musical to perform?

I had previous performing arts training, so I had experience with picking up choreo and music, but training for a musical is fast-paced. I learned so much from our choreographer Jo Goodwin – not only the choreo, but the discilpline needed when working on a professional musical production.

I loved performing the whole of the Fagin’s Den scene, with all the well-known songs like Be Back Soon. But I have to say Consider Yourself, with the entire cast on stage, is one of the most uplifting numbers to perform. I was sad when we performed it for the last time on the final show!

How different were both shows to perform in, and what do you feel you learnt from being in the casts of each?

They had some similarities, with there being a big young cast in both, and that made it really fun to be part of. Oliver! was a much longer run, so I really learned about stamina and keeping up the energy show after show. It was also ‘in the round’, which is really different because you feel more free with your movement in the space.

13 Going on 30 was a brand-new musical to bring to audiences, and a much shorter run, so I learned to make the most of every moment and really try to connect and make an impact every time knowing it only had four weeks! I loved both experiences!

Can you tell us about training at Stagebox, and how was it performing at Schwartz at 75?

I auditioned for Stagebox after seeing one of their members in The Lion King and being really inspired. The audition workshop was challenging, but it also felt really professional and friendly, so I was really happy to be offered membership.

Stagebox Musical Theatre Training in school holidays is intense, with renowned industry creatives, and gives you a realistic experience of what it’s like working in a professional setting. The standard is really high, so it encourages you to push yourself, and you also get to perform in live stage and video productions.

Within weeks of joining Stagebox, I was given the opportunity to perform at Stephen Schwartz’s 75th birthday concert at the Lyric Theatre in the West End. I felt really proud on the stage with Stephen Schwartz himself, the other Stagebox kids, and West End stars including Kerry Ellis and Rob Houchen.

What’s it like being represented by Stagebox Management and what opportunities have you got through them?

Joining Stagebox has been the launchpad in my performing arts journey since I joined at the age of 11. At that time, I had no experience of working with an agent and no idea what was involved.

Within a week of auditioning for Stagebox, they got me in the room for the Oliver! auditions, and the opportunities haven’t stopped from then! Many people tell boys of my age and height that it’s too late to start and rare to get work, but Stagebox Management have really supported me, believed in me and submitted me for a lot of briefs as I have regular self-tapes and recalls!

In three years, I have credits across musical, film and commercial assignments that I had no idea would be possible a few years ago. Without Stagebox, I would not have known how to make my dreams and aspirations into a reality.

It’s not just the support from my agent, but also from the other clients. We are all rooting for each other, especially the boys. It doesn’t feel competitive, and we all want each other to do well.

How did you find the experience being a West End Calling finalist this year, and what did you enjoy most about the competition?

West End Calling was a really amazing experience. I went in with no expectations as it was my first time entering, so I wasn’t expecting to get right to the grand final with such a high standard of talent in my age category.

The best thing was meeting so many amazing people. We all supported each other, and I have made a lot of friends that I have stayed in contact with.

What was it like preparing for the heats, semi-final and final, and how was it choosing your songs?

This was the first time that I really got to decide for myself what I was going to sing and the version of myself that I wanted to put out there. I tried to choose songs that suited my age and casting bracket so that I could connect with them.

I did Sante Fe for the first round, Good Kid from The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson) for the semi-finals, and then really challenged myself with an emotionally complex song for the final, which was Words Fail from Dear Evan Hansen.

I got really good feedback from the judges and was happy with how I performed. Everyone was so talented, and we were all happy for the winners.

You have filmed for the 2027 feature film The Great Beyond, which is directed, written and co-produced by J. J. Abrams, is there anything you can share from your time on set?

I think I have to keep that a secret until the film comes out! But it was amazing being directed by J. J. Abrams and experiencing how huge movie productions happen. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!

How was it working on the 2024 EE commercial early in your career?

It was another new experience for me working on a brand campaign. It was all filmed in one take and was completely unrehearsed so they could capture my genuine reactions and thoughts about challenging topics for Euros 2024. Every professional assigment I get gives me such good experience for hopefully building my career as an adult.

Where does your love of acting come from, and how did you get started?

My mum said I have always been a performer, and loved singing and dancing from being a toddler! I asked to go to an acting class when I was six, and joined ABCD School of Dance and Drama, where I first started just in a drama class once a week.

I then started their dance programmes and performed in their annual shows. My principals and teachers at ABCD have constantly encouraged and supported me, and I eventually joined their Elite Competition team. As of this year, I am now Head Boy of the school, and I hope to inspire other boys who enjoy performing arts.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch?

My favourite shows to watch are the ones which my friends are cast in! There are so many talented kids at Stagebox that are in the Royal Shakespeare Comany’s Matilda The Musical, Oliver!, The Sound of Music and many others, and it’s a good excuse to go and see them all!

I also like shows with roles that I dream to play, like Jay Gatsby, Dodger, Danny LaRusso and Troy Bolton – so many dream roles.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend a lot of time practising my singing, doing self-tapes and auditions, and dance training. It’s hard to have much more free time around professional assignments and schools as well, but I do love it.

I do like to chat to friends, play sports and PlayStation as well when I have downtime.

What do you find the most enjoyable aspect of being an actor and performing on stage?

The sense of achievement getting a role that you have worked really hard for, and then seeing how audiences enjoy the productions – especially in live performances – is the best feeling.

I’ve also made the best friends that I feel like I will stay connected with through every stage of my training and career.

Do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about, and what are you hoping the rest of 2026 brings?

I took part in a new project workshop this year, which is still under wraps, and this summer I am filming for a short film.

My aim is to keep training and developing myself and work hard when new opportunities come my way.